Part 1/11:
The Growing Crisis of Abandoned Homes in Japan
Japan is facing a significant demographic and architectural dilemma: approximately 9 million homes across the country are either abandoned or left emptily standing. This phenomenon is especially visible in rural areas, where population decline has led to a surge in empty houses—commonly known as akiya. As residents age and younger generations migrate to urban centers for work, many traditional village homes are falling into disrepair, abandoned, or left to decay, threatening the cultural heritage and sustainability of local communities.